The big number, by city
Total monthly budget for one person living alone, health insurance included, at 2026 prices and with the exchange rate at 38 ฿ per euro. What really changes from one level to the next is rent: "tight" is a more modest apartment, "living well" the comfortable standard and "luxury" a premium apartment. The rest of the spending is similar however you live. These are the same numbers as the calculator:
| City | Tight | Living well | Luxury |
|---|---|---|---|
| Chiang Mai | ≈ 1060 € | ≈ 1150 € | ≈ 1325 € |
| Hua Hin | ≈ 1100 € | ≈ 1200 € | ≈ 1400 € |
| Koh Samui | ≈ 1240 € | ≈ 1350 € | ≈ 1570 € |
| Phuket | ≈ 1330 € | ≈ 1450 € | ≈ 1690 € |
| Bangkok | ≈ 1410 € | ≈ 1550 € | ≈ 1825 € |
A villa with a pool is a different league and sits outside this table: it multiplies the rent.
Each link leads to the full city guide, with the breakdown by neighborhood. And if you want your exact number — as a couple, with kids, with your visa —, the calculator works it out live.
Where the money goes: a typical month
This is how the "living well" budget breaks down for one person in Bangkok (58,900 ฿ ≈ 1550 €):
| Item | Per month | Detail |
|---|---|---|
| Rent | 19,000 ฿ (500 €) | 35 m² studio in a good area, near the BTS |
| Food and groceries | 9,500 ฿ (250 €) | Half local (60–80 ฿/dish), half Western |
| Transport | 7,600 ฿ (200 €) | BTS/MRT daily + Grab often |
| Electricity, water, fiber, mobile | 2,400 ฿ (63 €) | Air conditioning is 70% of the electricity bill |
| Health insurance | 1,900 ฿ (50 €) | Private, adult aged 30–40 |
| Leisure and travel | 18,500 ฿ (487 €) | Restaurants, gym and trips around Asia |
| Total | ≈ 1550 € | No sacrifices, no excess |
What really drives up the cost
- School, if you have kids. An international school runs from 2,400 to 23,000 € per child per year depending on city and school. It's the item that turns a cheap move into an expensive one: here's the comparison.
- The villa with a pool. Moving from a condo to a villa multiplies the rent by three or four. In Phuket, from 90,000 ฿/month.
- Health insurance with age. At 30 it's 40–80 €/month; at 60, 150–300 €. How healthcare works.
- Imported treats: cheese, wine, ham and anything with a European label costs double what it does back in Europe. Whoever cooks local, wins.
And landing, how much does it cost?
The move has a one-time startup cost. For one person, in 2026:
| Item | Cost |
|---|---|
| One-way flight (from Europe, as a guide) | 600–800 € |
| Apartment deposit and move-in (2 months + 1) | 1,000–2,300 € |
| Bexpat fee (fixed, same for everyone) | On the call |
| Total to land (fee aside) | ≈ 1,600–3,100 € |
| + Visa fee, separate and at cost (depending on type) | 35–270 € |
| + Setup (SIM, bank, first purchases) | 500–900 € |
On top of that, add the cushion: we recommend having 3–6 months of living costs covered before you fly. With 8,000–12,000 € saved, one person moves without trouble; the details of renting (and its traps) are in the apartment rental guide.
Frequently asked questions
Can you live on €1,000 a month?
You can, but it's tight. To really live well, the range is 1150 € in Chiang Mai (the cheapest) up to 1550 € in Bangkok. With 1,000 € you get by in the cheapest city if you keep rent tight; in Bangkok or the islands it's not enough to live well. What doesn't fit that budget: villas, international school and a daily Western lifestyle.
Is it cheaper than Western Europe?
On rent, local food, transport and services, clearly yes: the same standard of living costs 30–50% less than in most Western European capitals. The same or more expensive: imported goods, cars, international schools and health insurance past a certain age.
How much do I need saved to move?
Landing runs about 1,600–3,100 € in flight and deposit; our fee —fixed, told on the call—, the visa fee (35–270 €) and setup are separate. With a 3–6 month cushion of living costs, we're talking 8,000–12,000 € for one person alone. As a couple it doesn't double: you share the apartment and the deposit.